Ireland/Croatia - Given cleared to play against Croatia

09 June 2012 06:17

Veteran Irish goalkeeper Shay Given has been named in the side to play Croatia in their opening Group C clash ending doubts he would be fit for the game.

The 36-year-old - Ireland's most capped player with 122 - had been a doubt because of a knee injury but after being able to train fully on Friday suffered no reaction and was cleared to play in Sunday's match.

Giovanni Trapattoni sprang no surprises with Kevin Doyle set to partner Ireland's all-time leading scorer Robbie Keane up front.

Damien Duff - like Given and Keane a survivor from the last time the Irish appeared at a major finals the 2002 World Cup - also starts on one flank while Spartak Moscow's Aiden McGeady is on the other.